Prostaglandin F2 alpha enhancement of capsaicin induced cough in man: modulation by beta 2 adrenergic and anticholinergic drugs.

The effect of inhaled prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha on the response to the inhaled tussive agent capsaicin was investigated in normal subjects. Seven subjects inhaled three breaths of four doses of capsaicin (0.3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 nmol) before and immediately after inhaling PGF2 alpha (0.1 mumol) or placebo (0.15M NaCl) on separate days. The numbers of capsaicin induced coughs were greater after PGF2 alpha (mean 42.3 coughs) than after 0.15M sodium chloride (30.1). Visual analogue scores (0-10 on a 10 cm continuous scale) showed that capsaicin was more irritant after PGF2 alpha than after saline. Total respiratory resistance (Rrs), measured by the forced oscillation technique, was unaltered throughout the study. A double blind, placebo controlled study of the effects of inhaled salbutamol (200 micrograms, 0.6 mumol) and ipratropium bromide (40 micrograms, 0.1 mumol) on cough induced by capsaicin (2.4 nmol) and by PGF2 alpha (0.1 mumol) and on PGF2 alpha augmented, capsaicin induced coughing was performed in seven subjects. Neither drug had any effect on capsaicin induced coughing. Salbutamol reduced coughing due to PGF2 alpha (mean 7.7 coughs after salbutamol, 9.3 after placebo) but ipratropium bromide did not (mean 6.9 coughs after ipratropium bromide, 6.6 after placebo). Salbutamol also inhibited the augmentation of the capsaicin induced cough that followed inhalation of PGF2 alpha (mean augmentation 1.9 coughs after salbutamol, 4.1 after placebo), whereas ipratropium bromide did not (augmentation 1.7 coughs after ipratropium bromide, 2.7 after placebo). No changes in Rrs were seen after PGF2 alpha or either drug. Thus salbutamol reduces PGF2 alpha induced cough and the augmentation of capsaicin induced cough that follows PGF2 alpha.     

Skin grafting in gynogenetic common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.). The development of histocompatible clones

The fate of skin allografts exchanged among heterozygous and homozygous gynogenetic common carp siblings, and among newly developed inbred strains and F1 hybrids, is described. Heterozygous gynogenetic offspring were produced by fertilizing eggs with UV-irradiated sperm and by treating the resulting zygote with a cold shock (0 degree C, 45 min). The temperature shock causes retention of the second polar body, which allows the eggs to develop into normal diploid fry. Homozygous gynogenetic offspring were similarly produced by using a heat shock (40 degrees C, 2 min), which suppresses the first mitotic division. Skin allografts exchanged among heterozygous gynogenetic carp exhibited prolonged survival, with some allografts (21.8%) surviving for over 28 days. Furthermore, a strong histocompatibility locus was seen to segregate in this group. In contrast, skin allografts exchanged among homozygous gynogenetic siblings were all rejected within 14 days (MST 9.4 days). New homozygous inbred strains, designated JJ and MM, were produced by gynogenetic reproduction of homozygous female carps, while F1 hybrids were produced by crossing of these homozygous females with homozygous male siblings. All grafts exchanged among members of the same strain were permanently accepted. Likewise grafts from homozygous strain members were accepted by fish from the related F1-hybrids, while the reverse grafts were rejected. These results provide evidence for the idea that in the carp histocompatibility genes exist at least one major locus and multiple minor loci, which are codominantly expressed.     

Technetium-99-labelled methylene diphosphonate uptake scans in patients with dialysis arthropathy

Patients on long-term haemodialysis suffer from dialysis arthropathy due to the deposition of dialysis amyloid. We investigated the use of 99Tc-labelled methylene diphosphonate bone scans in 17 patients as a possible in vivo diagnostic technique. In most clinically affected joints, with the exception of shoulders and hands, there was increased radioisotope uptake consistent with uptake by periarticular bone. In addition, we describe intense soft-tissue uptake around some clinically affected large joints. In contrast, control groups of patients on haemodialysis without arthropathy and patients without renal failure did not have increased uptake. A semi-quantitative scale of uptake was devised, and the following correlations were significant: pain perception and isotope uptake score in the ankles and feet, and the number of radiological lesions and isotope uptake scores in the wrists and knees. The following sites where the radioisotope might bind in the affected joints are proposed: amyloid deposits, areas of soft-tissue calcification, or areas of increased bone turnover. It is concluded that whereas the scanning technique cannot make a definite diagnosis of amyloid and, therefore, cannot be expected to supersede histological diagnosis, it is a useful adjuvant investigation, of particular importance in those patients unable or unwilling to undergo biopsy.     

Clinical experience with immediate breast reconstruction using tissue expansion or transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with immediate breast reconstruction in 103 consecutive patients with stage 0 or I breast carcinoma between May 1983 and April 1988. Two reconstructive techniques were used, that is, either tissue expansion with secondary prosthesis implantation (60%) or transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap (40%). Chemotherapy was administered in 22% of patients without delay or compromise. The mean length of follow-up is 30 months. The complication rate was equal for both groups (24%) with infection being most common in the group of patients with tissue expansion and partial flap necrosis being most common in the group of patients with TRAM flaps. Aesthetic results were superior with use of the TRAM flap. Our experience concurs with previous reports that documented satisfactory results with immediate breast reconstruction without compromising further therapy. We conclude that although the tissue expansion technique yields acceptable results, the TRAM flap yields superior aesthetic results in terms of both appearance and consistency.     

Load-induced proteoglycan orientation in bone tissuein vivo andin vitro

Summary Previous studies of Alcian blue-induced birefringence in adult avian cortical bone showed that a short period of intermittent loading rapidly produces an increased level of orientation of proteoglycans within the bone tissue. In the absence of further loading, this persists for over 24 hours. We have proposed that this phenomenon could provide a means for “capturing” the effects of transient strains, and so provide a persistent, constantly updated strain-related influence on osteocyte populations related to the bones' averaged recent strain history, in effect, a “strain memory” in bone tissue. In our present study, we use the Alcian blue-induced birefringence technique to demonstrate that proteoglycan orientation also occurs after intermittent loading of both cortical and cancellous mammalian bonein vivo andin vitro. We also show that the change in birefringence is proportional to the magnitude of the applied strain, and that the reorientation occurs rapidly, reaching a maximal value after only 50 loading cycles. Examination of electron micrographs of bone tissue after staining with cupromeronic blue allows direct visualization and quantification of the change in proteoglycan orientation produced by loading. This shows that intermittent loading is associated with a realignment of the proteoglycan protein cores, bringing them some 5 degrees closer to the direction of collagen fibrils in the bone matrix.     

Analysis and management of chronic testicular pain

A total of 45 patients was seen in consultation between May 1980 and April 1989 for chronic unilateral or bilateral orchialgia, defined as intermittent or constant testicular pain 3 months or longer in duration that significantly interferes with the daily activities of the patient so as to prompt him to seek medical attention. We analyzed 34 patients available for followup in terms of socioeconomic parameters, etiology and duration of pain, associated urological symptomatology, specific treatment and results of therapy. Of the patients 31 underwent surgical treatment after failing medical management (24 orchiectomies, 10 epididymectomies, 5 orchiopexies and 1 hydrocelectomy). Of 10 patients who underwent epididymectomy 9 underwent subsequent orchiectomy as definitive treatment. Of 15 patients who underwent inguinal orchiectomy 11 (73%) reported complete relief of pain, while 4 had partial relief. Of the 9 patients who underwent scrotal orchiectomy 5 (55%) reported complete relief of pain, 3 had partial relief and 1 denied improvement. On the basis of these results we recommend inguinal orchiectomy as the procedure of choice for the management of chronic testicular pain when conservative measures are unsuccessful.